HTC's latest flagship device, the One M8, is one of the best Android smartphones now available on the market, but what would happen to it if Google stripped the phone of some of its customizations? That's essentially what the Google Play edition of the new One offers. Plunk down $699 and you'll have access to an unlocked and (mostly) unadulterated version of the M8 with stock Android 4.4 (also known as KitKat).

While the market will deem the Galaxy S5 the best Android flagship of the current crop of phones, I personally think it's this one. However, if the major Chinese manufacturers manage to get Google Play editions, I honestly would see no reason for anyone to avoid them. Chinese OEMs like Oppo offer the same (or better) specifications, have top-notch build quality, and usually sport great community support - but at half the price.

Have it come pre-loaded with Sense but let the end user wipe it out and flash a Google image if they want.

Google could sell them with that already done.

Part of it is that they sell not only to you, but to carriers and the last thing carriers want is to let you wipe out their useless bloatware. This doesn't mean they couldn't still sell a different version to carriers of course, but it might be one reason they don't do this. On top of that, they want their brand differentiation among the masses. Those who know, or care, to seek out a Google Play edition of a device are few and far between compared to those who buy from places like BestBuy or other large chains. Finally, I doubt Google wants this since it would mean someone could get a batch of devices, flash them, and sell them cheaper than Google does.